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Abstract

We demonstrate two types of combinatorial color arrays based on the Fabry-Perot (FP) micro-resonators in monolithic architecture. Optical micro-resonators corresponding to color elements are constructed using a soluble dielectric material between two transreflective layers by transfer-printing in either a pattern-by-pattern or a pattern-on-pattern fashion. The color palette depends primarily on the thickness and the refractive index of a dielectric material embedded in the micro-resonator. A self-defined lateral gap between two adjacent color elements provides the functionality of light-blocking by the underlying background layer. A prototype of a liquid crystal display incorporated with our combinatorial color array is also demonstrated. This monolithic integration of different FP micro-resonators leads to a versatile platform to build up a new class of color arrays for a variety of visual applications including displays and coloration devices.

Figures (5)

(a) Cross sectional view of an elemental micro-resonator for color selection (for example, blue). (b) Schematic illustration of monolithic architecture of three different micro-resonators for different colors (for example, R, G, and B) together with a self-defined lateral gap between adjacent micro-resonators. Here, d, d1, and d2 denote the thickness of the resonant cavity (RC), that of the resonant cavity 1 (RC 1), and that of the resonant cavity 2 (RC 2), respectively, between two transreflective layers (TRL 1 and TRL 2). The refractive indices are n, n1, and n2 for the RC, RC 1, and RC 2, respectively.

Color selection properties of elemental micro-resonators with different values of 0 nm, 56 nm, 104 nm, 130 nm, 149 nm, and 173 nm for the the RC thickness (d). The insets show the microscopic images of four elemental micro-resonators of d = 104 nm, 130 nm, 149 nm, and 179 nm from the left to the right.

Monolithic integration of three primary color (R, G, and B) elements into a combinatorial color array. An identical stamp was used for transfer-printing different color patterns in sequence. The black upward- and downward-arrows represent the transfer-printing process.

Schematic illustration of combinatorial color arrays in (a) a pattern-by-pattern configuration and (c) a pattern-on-pattern configuration. (b) and (d) show the microscopic images of the fabricated color arrays corresponding to (a) and (c). Here, Wr, Wb, and D denote the width of the rectangular color element, the separation between adjacent color elements, and the diameter of the circular color element, respectively.

Schematic diagram of the LC cell incorporated with a lateral color array as the CF in the vertical configuration (a) under no applied voltage and (b) under the applied voltage above a threshold. Microphotographs showing (c) the dark state of the LC cell under no applied voltage and (d) the bright state of the LC cell under the applied voltage of 5 V.